Show ContentsOggelsby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Oggelsby

What does the name Oggelsby mean?

The tale of the name Oggelsby begins with a family who lived in the county of Angus near Glamis. Although Bishop Leslie, a noted historian during the time of Mary Queen of Scots, lists the Ogilvies as being derived from the Border Country in the vicinity of Kelso, serious question must be made of the authenticity of the statement.

It seems more plausible to deduce this Clan to be of original Pictish stock, descended from Dubhucan, Earl of Angus (1115 AD), of the Mormaers of Angus. The root of the name is thought to be from the Welsh uchel, meaning "high." 1

Oggelsby Coat of Arms Creation

It was a George Ogilvy who preserved the Scottish regalia in Dunotter Castle in 1651 and 1652, and ere he was compelled to surrender the castle he had the regalia secreted by the aid of Rev. James Granger and his wife. After the Restoration Ogilvy was, as a recompense for his long imprisonment, his losses, and his good service, made a baronet.

The crest with the portcullis depicts his imprisonment and the royal crown on the lion depicts his efforts to secure the regalia. 2

Early Origins of the Oggelsby family

The surname Oggelsby was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where Gilbert, son of Gillebride, 1st Earl of Angus, obtained a charter of the lands of Purin, Ogguluin and Kynmethan, in Angus between 1172 and 1177.

Gilbert is also on record as a witness of a grant of the church of Monyfode to the Abbey of Arbroath by his brother, Gilchrist, 3rd Earl of Angys between 1201-04. There is also early record of an Alexander de Oggoluin, who had a Charter of the lands of Belauht around 1232. Patrick Oggelville or Eggilvyn (of county Forfar) swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward the 1st of England in 1296.

Early History of the Oggelsby family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oggelsby research. Another 445 words (32 lines of text) covering the years 1320, 1392, 1425, 1430, 1440, 1491, 1579, 1580, 1592, 1596, 1600, 1602, 1605, 1613, 1614, 1615, 1639, 1645, 1651, 1652, 1672, 1676, 1679, 1688, 1701, 1707, 1715, 1745, 1778, 1826, 1927 and 1976 are included under the topic Early Oggelsby History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Oggelsby Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Oggelsby has been spelled Ogilvie, Ogilvy, Oguilvie, Ogilby, Ogleby and many more.

Early Notables of the Oggelsby family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Saint John Ogilvie (1579-1615), a Jesuit priest, and a cadet of Ogilvy of Findlater, who was arrested and hanged at Glasgow Cross for his defense of the spiritual supremacy of the papacy. He was beatified in 1927 and canonized in 1976.Sir Walter Ogilvy or Ogilvie (d. 1440), of Lintrathen, "Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, was the second son of Sir Walter Ogilvy of Wester Powrie and Auchterhouse. The father was the 'gude Schir Walter Ogilvie'...
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Oggelsby Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Oggelsby family

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Oggelsby: John Oglesby, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife, children and servants; John Ogilby, who settled in Barbados in 1678, with his wife and children.



The Oggelsby Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: A fin
Motto Translation: To the end.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print


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